Rotherham Harriers ready for take-off
Their Northern team (Sam Johnson, Emma Parkinson, Alina Stepanchuk, Jenny Blizard, Steph Burns and Natasha Hatswell) can make a big impact at National level where a place in the top six against the powerful Southern and Midlands teams would be an achievement. Hallamshire are also listed and should do well if they can get their full squad out but at Northern level, hit by injuries, they did not compete.
The Hallam men’s team, for their 12-stage race, are below strength. Already without their top runner Andy Heyes, they are also without Steve Bayton, taking a break after winning last week’s Manchester Marathon in 2:22:34 on his debut. Dave Archer picked up an injury when finishing runner up in last week’s Sheffield Half marathon and is also missing. Bertie Houghton runs a short stage. The long stage runners for Hallamshire are Tom Bains, Ben Beattie, Andy Challenger, Zak Mellard, Matt Hobbs and Rob Little.